Priority Prayer Focus
In a Season of Sunsets
In a Season of Sunsets
by Donna Diorio
Last
week I was struck by the beauty of this photograph of a Netanya sunset
that an intercessor for Israel posted on Facebook. I thought it would be a
poignant follow up to our saying goodbye to Marc Chopinsky...then I read the
post that accompanied the photo.
Darlene was in Israel and just gotten word that her mother had just passed away. A friend of hers posted the lyrics to an old hymn, Beyond the Sunset, to comfort her in her loss. This morning she told me that her dad has also passed away while she was in Israel in 2009. Both of them were Christians, so her loss is tempered by the knowledge that, as the lyric goes:
Darlene was in Israel and just gotten word that her mother had just passed away. A friend of hers posted the lyrics to an old hymn, Beyond the Sunset, to comfort her in her loss. This morning she told me that her dad has also passed away while she was in Israel in 2009. Both of them were Christians, so her loss is tempered by the knowledge that, as the lyric goes:
"Beyond
the sunset, O glad reunion with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before.
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting—beyond the sunset for evermore!"
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting—beyond the sunset for evermore!"
Sunsets
in terms of human life are like sunrises — it is all part of the human
condition. The loss of loved ones is only made bearable by the blessed hope we
have in an eternity with the LORD. This is also why there is so much sorrow
surrounding the horrible anti-Semitic attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue last
Shabbat. Eleven traditional Jews were killed in the attack, 2 were in their
50's, 3 in their 60's, 2 in their 70's, 3 in their 80's and a woman who was 97
years old.
The demonic hatred of the Chosen People is not confined to the minority fringe of "White Supremacy" of the politically far right in America. The media rarely acknowledges it, but the Liberal Left has practically mainstreamed anti-Semitism through the many activist groups who embrace Islamists as allies. The alliances share agendas and strategies. It is baffling how a Palestinian hijab-wearing Islamist like Linda Sarsour could be the face of the Feminist movement in the USA if you do not understand it in its spiritual reality.
Of course, the demonic hatred of the Jews and Israel is not merely manifest in the hate groups in America. You can name the hate group worldwide and there will be an element of demonically inspired anti-Semitism that fits the hate group precisely. Some based on theological errors, some based on group grievances - but all hate groups share at least some degree of anti-Semitism. Even when it is dressed up in theological garb of pro-Palestinian Christian defense against an "evil" Israel, the hatred of Israel and the Jews all comes from the same source.
The enemy hates God's plan for the salvation of all Israel and over the centuries has set apart the Jews as special prey. Through hatred nurtured in the hearts men, the devil seeks to cut off the lives of the Jews wherever they are.
The demonic hatred of the Chosen People is not confined to the minority fringe of "White Supremacy" of the politically far right in America. The media rarely acknowledges it, but the Liberal Left has practically mainstreamed anti-Semitism through the many activist groups who embrace Islamists as allies. The alliances share agendas and strategies. It is baffling how a Palestinian hijab-wearing Islamist like Linda Sarsour could be the face of the Feminist movement in the USA if you do not understand it in its spiritual reality.
Of course, the demonic hatred of the Jews and Israel is not merely manifest in the hate groups in America. You can name the hate group worldwide and there will be an element of demonically inspired anti-Semitism that fits the hate group precisely. Some based on theological errors, some based on group grievances - but all hate groups share at least some degree of anti-Semitism. Even when it is dressed up in theological garb of pro-Palestinian Christian defense against an "evil" Israel, the hatred of Israel and the Jews all comes from the same source.
The enemy hates God's plan for the salvation of all Israel and over the centuries has set apart the Jews as special prey. Through hatred nurtured in the hearts men, the devil seeks to cut off the lives of the Jews wherever they are.
I have
heard many explanations over the years for all the terrible things that have
been done to the Jews, but only one thing remains in my heart as true, and that
is the demonic opposition to God's plans to give them a future and a hope.
This is why it is so greatly saddening to me when I hear of Jewish people who are cut off from life before they have had their eyes opened to the love of Messiah. It is a powerful reason to pray for Israel and for the Jews worldwide, to awaken from their slumber and receive the salvation of Yeshua. This is why we pray for the Israeli ministries who are on the front lines of the battle for the salvation of Israel. For when that salvation comes, and it is already coming now, it will restore so much life throughout the world. (Romans 11:11-14).
We are not as those who are without hope in the world. There are sunsets and there are sunrises yet for us. It is as the promise in Isaiah 60:1-3:
This is why it is so greatly saddening to me when I hear of Jewish people who are cut off from life before they have had their eyes opened to the love of Messiah. It is a powerful reason to pray for Israel and for the Jews worldwide, to awaken from their slumber and receive the salvation of Yeshua. This is why we pray for the Israeli ministries who are on the front lines of the battle for the salvation of Israel. For when that salvation comes, and it is already coming now, it will restore so much life throughout the world. (Romans 11:11-14).
We are not as those who are without hope in the world. There are sunsets and there are sunrises yet for us. It is as the promise in Isaiah 60:1-3:
Arise,
shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. For
behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but
the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will
come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.…
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
We are
continually balancing this regarding Jewish opposition whether it is in
opposition to the Gospel directly, or to Biblical righteousness and social
justice: As
concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the
election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. Romans 11:28
There is no escaping politics as the Israeli
Municipal elections underscores emphatically. Most mayoral elections have
boiled down to secular vs. ultra-Orthodox control. That is true in Ashdod,
Jerusalem, Arad & others. Pray for the run offs between the two sides in 2
weeks as outcomes are critical to Messianic believers
Israel Pochtar says the persecution against their congregation has been ratcheted up as not the Ashdod City Hall is questioning its right to exist. This is, of course, against the laws of the Land, but local authorities exercise control in reality that sometimes defies what the national laws dictate. "Friends, I ask you to please stand with us in prayer and faith for the strategies and campaigns of the enemy to be cast down in the name of Yeshua (Jesus), and that justice will be done for the believers in Ashdod and for Beit Hallel Congregation, and that this persecution from Ashdod City Hall will work out to the glory of God."
[Critical city elections were held last night in Israel, two of the run off cities where the balance of power is critical are Jerusalem - where we favor Ofer Berkovitch - and Ashdod - where we favor Shimon Katznelson. In both cases it is because the other candidate will swing too much clout to the ultra-Orthodox in overall policies of the city. I have done my own homework on this assessment, but it is solid information for those who care about the safety of the Messianic ministries to worship and live in religious freedom. Please pray for them as runoff elections will occur in 2 weeks.]
Israel Pochtar says the persecution against their congregation has been ratcheted up as not the Ashdod City Hall is questioning its right to exist. This is, of course, against the laws of the Land, but local authorities exercise control in reality that sometimes defies what the national laws dictate. "Friends, I ask you to please stand with us in prayer and faith for the strategies and campaigns of the enemy to be cast down in the name of Yeshua (Jesus), and that justice will be done for the believers in Ashdod and for Beit Hallel Congregation, and that this persecution from Ashdod City Hall will work out to the glory of God."
[Critical city elections were held last night in Israel, two of the run off cities where the balance of power is critical are Jerusalem - where we favor Ofer Berkovitch - and Ashdod - where we favor Shimon Katznelson. In both cases it is because the other candidate will swing too much clout to the ultra-Orthodox in overall policies of the city. I have done my own homework on this assessment, but it is solid information for those who care about the safety of the Messianic ministries to worship and live in religious freedom. Please pray for them as runoff elections will occur in 2 weeks.]
Several of the great features on KehilaNews.com this week: After
son’s murder, Arab pastor forgives killers and testifies of God’s love | INTERVIEW
Orthodox Jewish publication lambastes Messianic
writer | Messianic organization urges believers: Adopt,
foster vulnerable children in Israel
Avner Boskey has a word on the Pittsburgh
anti-Semitic attack on a Jewish synagogue, asking the question, How can we make
any sense out of the travesty of these eleven murders? “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper”
(Isaiah 54:17)
Arni Klein has a report on their recent
ministry with Germans and Brits in the UK: Arni writes, "For the most
part, Germany has borne the brunt of the condemnation and guilt for the
Holocaust quite alone. This one question calls the allied nations, beginning
with Great Britain, to account for their part in a way and to a degree perhaps
never before really addressed. . . . perspective and
understanding takes us right back to the bitter curse decreed in Genesis 12:3.
Whether for doing evil or for not doing good, sooner or later the righteous
judgments of God’s Word will be made manifest. Also upcoming Galilee Worship
Gatherings scheduled for 2019. Read more by connecting directly with the
ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly
Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
Orna Grinman's Back to Beit Lehem: Sleeping Beauty (Part 9)
The Arad Hasdey Yeshua (Mercy of Yeshua)
congregation is delighted to report that the utra-Orthodox did not win the
mayoral bid in Arab, but their loved mayor Nisan Ben Hamo did! This is good
news for Arab believers because Mayor Ben Hamo protects the rights of all
citizens and has not sold out to the ultra-Orthodox desires to dominate the
city. Many political figures in Israel, in order to obtain the votes that will
put them in power, bow to the desires of the ultra-Orthodox. This factor
affects all Israeli politics all the way to the top of the political power
chain - the Prime Minister. We have seen it before in the late 1990's when
Netanyahu began to bend to the religious demands against Messianics to gain the
votes to keep his coalition viable. Pray over this situation that is always
see-sawing back and forth in Israel's political realm. For
more of the news from the Arad Hebrew congregation, read more by connecting directly with the
ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly
Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
David Lazarus asks what the future of
Messianic Jewish-ness is considering the departure of younger Messianic Jews
from the Jewish traditions that forged the parent's generation of Messianic
Judaism. Lazarus looks at what factors
he believes is drawing younger generations away and how their own congregation
seeks to remedy the issues. Read
more by connecting directly with the ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from
Israeli Ministries
From Revive Israel two videos: Gaza's Internal Turmoil |with Cody Asher talking with Bassem Adranly | Dan
Juster speaks from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 and encourages us to overcome in
The Great Reversal | and an article by
Asher Intrater on how the one role of original Apostles
actually became seven roles, cooperating together. The Seven - Fold Ministry!?!
Sally Shiff who is an intercessor and liaison
for the Kehilat HaMaayan in Kfar Saba writes of an outstanding 7 weeks in the
US - outstanding and in some places astounding what God did. Her beautiful
testimony of what happened in a Alabama church service after only 15 minutes of
sharing, 10 minutes of shouting before the Lord and the healings that followed
will delight your heart. Read more by
connecting directly with the ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from
Israeli Ministries
Many Christians have their eyes on the
traditional religious Jews of Israel and excitedly follow all news of their
preparations to rebuild the Temple and bring Israel under the authority of the
modern Sanhedrin. Can I break the news to you that these things are NOT GOOD
for the GOSPEL in Israel? Which is why I was delighted to see Ron Cantor take
on this important subject: Yeshua Transfers Authority from Rabbis to Apostles.
Ron writes, "In Matthew 23 Yeshua says,
the members of the Sanhedrin sit in Moses' seat, so we have to obey them. (Yes,
there was seat in every synagogue like the one above, called Moses' Seat) But I
found four places where Yeshua clearly transferred that authority from the
rabbis to the Jewish apostles." Wake up Church! Some of you are following
the wrong leaders. More from Cantor by connecting directly with the ministry,
or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary
of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
With critical Mid-Term elections in the US, Municipal elections in Israel and another critical election that was just held in Brazil, Maoz Israel's Shira Sorko-Ram has been leading an anointed daily prayer points vigil on Facebook for several weeks. Yesterday she posted about the new Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro whose party’s motto is “Brazil Above Everything, God Above Everyone.” This combination is a belief in national sovereignty and recognition of the proper role of God has the atheist left absolutely terrified. Follow Shira on Facebook.
Also from Maoz, this report from Ari Sorko-Ram
on his recent ministry in Brazil: Bringing the Truth of Israel to Brazil. As reported in the Caspari Media Review
below, Brazil had the largest number of participants in the ICEJ Sukkot
conference with 900 in attendance. There is a great awakening among the Church
to Israel in Brazil, and God is blessing them with political leadership that
also acknowledges God and His heart for Israel. This is no coincidence, folks.
The Morning Star Fellowship in Tiberias led by Claude and Michelle
Ezagouri have set their hearts on the youth for several years and many who had
back-slidden are coming back into the fold. Some have agreed to take the
discipleship course so this is a priority prayer request that these teens will
reconnect fully with faith and devotion. Secondly, they write, "Tiberias is a difficult city with much opposition to
the Gospel". Tiberias is difficult [Donna speaking now] because like Arad
in the south, there is a huge part of the population that is ultra-Orthodox,
which gives sway to the politics of the city and surrounding region. Please pray for this congregation and their
plans to move forward in the name of Yeshua.
Finally, (1) they pray for God to bless Israel
with desperately needed bountiful rain during the winter season which is just
starting. (2) pray against pedophilia which has multiplied in Israel over the
last several years. The enemy is always seeking ways to either kill or destroy
Jewish people before they can come to the Light of Yeshua. Pray for the new
Police unit operating to detect pedophilia rings. (3) pray for ongoing Hamas
conflict which has been escalating .
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the
tongue
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry
leaders and believers with urgent health needs
CONTINUED URGENT PRAYER FOR JACOB DAMKANI who is now in a rehabilitation facility where medical staff can work to get him back to consiousness. Please keep up the prayers | Praise the LORD for the ALL-Clear on EDDIE SANTORO's latest MRI showing no more signs of cancer in his brain! | Albert a Messianic leader from southern Israel, has had a successful surgery and an amazing recovery but keep praying for total restoration | Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.| Olga Bikas continues to suffer from chronic, acute back pain. She is getting medication and physiotherapeutic treatments but without any substantial improvement | Ruth Nessim has several health issues, read in her update this week: Most critical EYES.|
Continue pray for Marianna Gol's urgent requests shared last week for Streams in the Desert (widows & orphans): A, the 20 yr old jailed man | M1 following surgery last week & many related needs | M2, mother getting a mastectomy who has an autistic needing 24/7 care. Many needs | T, mother of 3, bed-ridden with severe back pain. Many needs including a correct diagnosis which will determine eligiblity for financial.
Pray also for Israel intercessors/supporters in other nations with urgent health needs: Jeurgen at ICEJ, Karen and Yonit in Israel. Also for Israel intercessors: Cecelia Toth, Arlene Stucki, Una Gere, Mo Murray, also from our friend Steve in the UK for his wife Elizabeth,
and Debra Koen Abernethy still recovering
from complication following double lung transplant. This Facebook post just
today: " We are heading to Birmingham..UAB this afternoon
please be praying my oxygen is quickly dropping to 80’s so I have got to be
admitted to see what they can do... my right lung has not been working but I
know it will...Know this is not good so just remember us if the Lord willing"
Praying the Headlines
10/29/18 Caspari Media
Review Jerusalem Caspari Center for
Biblical and Jewish Studies
subscriptions@caspari.com http://caspari.com | The Caspari Media Review is a valuable resource that tracks and summarizes news items in Israel that appear in Hebrew only which are related to Messianic Jews and/or Christians.
subscriptions@caspari.com http://caspari.com | The Caspari Media Review is a valuable resource that tracks and summarizes news items in Israel that appear in Hebrew only which are related to Messianic Jews and/or Christians.
Media Review
September 2018 #3 | Anti-Missionary Attitudes
Source: Iton Shacharit, September 18, 2018 | This
article described a group of “missionary Subbotniks” (Judaizing Christians) who
attempt to convert Jews living in and around the West Bank and the Jordan
Valley. Anti-missionary organization Or L’Achim claims these missionaries use a
façade of love and mercy, when in fact they use deception, pretend to be Jews,
and trick their way into the country. Or L’Achim calls them “Subbutniks”
because the missionaries decide to Judaize of their own accord, without
rabbinical guidance, and they are therefore not Halakhic Jews.
Source: The Jerusalem Post, September 18, 2018 | A
Messianic Jewish Congregation in Ashdod has suffered a vandalism attack. Senior
pastor of Beit Hallel, Israel Pochtar, uploaded a picture to Facebook of two
ultra-Orthodox men spray painting such slogans as “the mission is a national disaster”
on the congregation’s new building. Pochtar called the incident an “act of
hatred against Messianic Jews,” and made an official complaint with the police.
Pochtar said, however, that in the past the police have not taken the safety of
the Messianic community in Ashdod seriously enough. The police have opened up
an official investigation. Beit Hallel has about 300 congregants, who have
faced, according to Pochtar, systematic “harassment, bullying, shaming and
threats from ultra-Orthodox residents of the city.” Beit Hallel continues to be
an active part of the Ashdod community, distributing weekly meals to 1,200
needy families with the help of about 100 volunteers from the congregation. The
author of the article noted that “Messianic Jews are continuously ostracized
both by mainstream world Jewry and by Israel with an almost blanket rejection
of Messianic Jews, or Jews who believe in Jesus.”
Christians
in Israel | Source: Various Articles
Close to 7,000
Evangelical Christians from nearly 100 countries worldwide took part in the
annual Jerusalem March that was held during Sukkot...[an] Eshkhol
representative said: “Israel is fortunate to have many Christian friends all
over the world who provide key support for the Jewish state in their home
countries.” ....
The country
with the largest delegation at the march was Brazil, with 900 participants. In second place was the Ivory Coast, with 500
participants. In an interview, one pastor from Brazil said: “We are supporting
and praying for Israel, because if Israel is strong, then it will help bring Jesus
for the second time.”
In the past, Jewish leaders called on Jews to avoid
events organized by the ICEJ for fear of efforts to convert Jews. However, the
ICEJ continues to maintain that it has a policy against proselytizing in
Israel.
October 21,
2018 Media Review | Anti-Missionary Attitudes
Source: BaKehila, October 11, 2018; Iton Shacharit,
October 17, 2018 | The first article reported that Yad L’Achim received dozens
of calls to its hotline when Messianic Jewish “missionaries” took advantage of the
Jerusalem March to preach conversion to thousands of Jews. Yad L’Achim said the
incident was not spontaneous, but well-coordinated. The missionaries came with
matching shirts and thousands of pamphlets.
The second article reported that Yad L’Achim turned to
the Jerusalem municipality, without formal response from Mayor Barkat, to
attempt to bar a known “missionary church” from the ‘Batim MeBifnim’ – an open
house event wherein landmark sites are open to the public. Yad L’Achim was
horrified to find that the municipality even recommended the church as part of
the tour. Yad L’Achim planned to put a team in front of the church during the
event in order to warn passers-by of the danger. The article never mentioned
the church by name, but a picture of the entrance to Christ Church in the Old
City of Jerusalem was included in the piece.
My
Word
I can't
help but notice how the Messianic Jews are coming into view in the wake of the
horrible anti-Semitic attack on the Pittsburgh synagogue occurred last Shabbat.
Israel must be a safe haven for all Jews, yet
the denial of the "Jewishness" of Messianic Jews remains an obstacle
in every way. The closest one can get to having their conscience pricked over
that false assertion that Messianic Jews are no longer Jews, comes when there
is wide acknowledgement that anti-Semitic murderers do not make the same
distinctions as do many Jews. There is no denial: Messianics are still Jews.
The day after the murder of those 11 elderly
Jews, Dr. Michael Oren, Israel's former Ambassador to the US, now a Knesset
member and the Deputy Minister for Diplomacy tweeted this comment:
"The Conservative Jews of Pittsburgh were sufficiently Jewish to be killed because they were Jews but their movement is not recognized by the Jewish State. Israel must bolster these communities, already challenged by assimilation, by strengthening our ties with them."
Oren's comments were politically pointed to the strong legal controls of the Orthodox in Israel over other sects of Judaism which are widely accepted, much less the Messianic movement which they utterly oppose. I could not pass up the wide opening to reply to Oren's tweet: "Yes and amen to that. Israel should also recognize the same with Messianic Jews. Our Dallas Shabbat service was shot up by an anti-semite in the late nineties. Many shots fired into the packed service & miraculously no one hit. Messianics are sufficiently Jewish to be killed too."
"The Conservative Jews of Pittsburgh were sufficiently Jewish to be killed because they were Jews but their movement is not recognized by the Jewish State. Israel must bolster these communities, already challenged by assimilation, by strengthening our ties with them."
Oren's comments were politically pointed to the strong legal controls of the Orthodox in Israel over other sects of Judaism which are widely accepted, much less the Messianic movement which they utterly oppose. I could not pass up the wide opening to reply to Oren's tweet: "Yes and amen to that. Israel should also recognize the same with Messianic Jews. Our Dallas Shabbat service was shot up by an anti-semite in the late nineties. Many shots fired into the packed service & miraculously no one hit. Messianics are sufficiently Jewish to be killed too."
Normally I keep my Twitter feed non-religious
because I use it to follow the news. I do not want to be blocked by Jewish news
reporters that I follow, as I have been in the past by some Jewish counter
terrorism experts. Despite this, I could
not comment with such a wide opening left.
Later I saw another wide door open when Bethany
Mandel of Jewish publication, The Forward tweeted, "When I was being
harassed and sent death threats, the ADL wasn't interested until liberal
journalists got them too. They never had any advice or assistance with security
concerns. Experts at the Federation gave me their cell phone numbers and told
to call them day or night."
I replied in a tweet: "When our Messianic
synagogue was attacked in the late 1990's by an anti-semite shooting rounds
into a packed Shabbat service, all Dallas ADL did was go on a media campaign about
how 'they're not really Jews'. As they repeated after subsequent hate vandalism
attacks"
Now I see
that a controversy has broken out over Republican Jewish candidate defends inviting Messianic
rabbi to honor Pittsburgh victims.
"Lena Epstein, a Jewish Republican nominee for Congress in Michigan,
defended inviting a Messianic rabbi to honor the victims of the Pittsburgh
synagogue massacre at a campaign event that featured Vice President Mike Pence.
“I invited the prayer because we must unite as a nation — while embracing our religious differences — in the aftermath of Pennsylvania,” Epstein said in a statement she posted Monday on Twitter after news of the event prompted Jewish outrage on the social networking service.
“Any media or political competitor who is attacking me or the vice president is guilty of nothing short of religious intolerance and should be ashamed,” she said."
“I invited the prayer because we must unite as a nation — while embracing our religious differences — in the aftermath of Pennsylvania,” Epstein said in a statement she posted Monday on Twitter after news of the event prompted Jewish outrage on the social networking service.
“Any media or political competitor who is attacking me or the vice president is guilty of nothing short of religious intolerance and should be ashamed,” she said."
Does it
not seem like the timing to lean in to this prayer point and challenge to the
greater Jewish community be made now?
Donna Diorio
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
Please pray about making a financial gift donation.
Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
and mail to: P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006
Or via PayPal, Send to: donna@israelprayer.com or https://www.paypal.me/DonnaDiorio
I do not have tax exempt status.
